March 10, 2021 Update

Message from Peter Rodriguez, dean

Following the recommendations of our Task Force on Racial Equity and Social Justice, I am pleased to announce that Professor Connie Porter has been named senior associate dean of our expanded office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, reporting to me. She joins Lina Bell who serves as the director of DEI. Adding to the DEI leadership team strengthens our ability to further these efforts in the school and broaden our engagement with the community. 

Connie joined Rice in 2011 and has taught core Marketing, Marketing Research and Customer Relationship Management. She also led an experiential learning course, Marketing Lab, and launched and led integrative Executive Seminar courses in our MBA for Executives program. Her research focuses on the value of fostering customer relationships in technology-enabled marketing environments, and she has published articles in premier academic journals in this area. For several years, she taught both MBAs and undergraduates at University of Notre Dame. Connie earned a B.S. in economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with dual concentrations in finance and public policy; an MBA from University of Michigan with dual emphases in operations and corporate strategy; and a Ph.D. from Georgia State University in marketing. Prior to pursuing a career in academia, Connie spent several years as a management consultant with firms including Gemini Consulting (now CapGemini), Cambridge Management Consulting (now part of Atos) and Xerox, as an internal consultant with Georgia Pacific, and as a commercial banker at National Westminster Bank USA (now part of Bank of America). Connie will reduce her teaching commitments to accommodate the new role but will continue to benefit the school and our students in the classroom.

I look forward to working with Connie as she brings her deep insight and thoughtful approach to this new position as we commit to advancing the school’s goals of diversity, equity and inclusion with students, staff, faculty, alumni and beyond. 

Please join me in congratulating Connie for the work she is embarking on and our task force members for the work they have accomplished so far. We are grateful for the collective care and respect demonstrated in our community. Thank you for your efforts to support the school and each other.

Best,
Peter